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for millions of moviegoers. It represents the percentage of professional critic reviews
that are positive for a given film or television show.

From the Critics

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Fresh

The Tomatometer is 60% or higher.

Rotten

The Tomatometer is 59% or lower.

Certified Fresh

Movies and TV shows are Certified Fresh with a steady Tomatometer of 75% or
higher after a set amount of reviews (80 for wide-release movies, 40 for
limited-release movies, 20 for TV shows), including 5 reviews from Top Critics.

AUDIENCE SCORE

Episodes

Season 5 opens with Jack interfering with Liz's blooming romance with Carol (Matt Damon) in an effort to help her finally win a man's heart. There's give-and-take in Jack's own love life when Avery revamps his apartment. Meanwhile, Tracy copes with Kenneth's termination as NBC page, and Jenna emerges as a new "TGS" producer.More

Liz is stunned to discover she's now turning men's heads and uses her newfound confidence to win over a fastidious editor (Paul Giamatti). Meanwhile, Jack is determined to teach Avery's unborn son the ropes of life; Tracy gears up for his wife's delivery; and an enigmatic man takes on Kenneth's page duties. Elizabeth Banks, Brian Williams and Kelly O'Donnell guest star.More

Jack goes before Congress, hoping to use his wiles and charm in a discussion of NBC's merger with KableTown. When a congresswoman (Queen Latifah) pushes for more diversity in the programming, Jack turns to Tracy to develop ideas. Meanwhile, Liz butts heads with her writing staff; and Jenna supports Kenneth's return to the page program. Rob Reiner guest stars.More

Liz fumes during show night when the "TGS" gang all forget that it's her 40th birthday. Meanwhile, Tracy concludes that it's hilarious whenever an actor breaks character and laughs, so he does just that---all night. And Jack strains in his efforts to cease drinking during Avery's pregnancy. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Matt Damon guest star. The episode was originally broadcast live.More

Jack basks in a perfect day brimming with success and good fortune, so he tries to use his winning streak to save Liz and Carol's relationship. Meanwhile, Jenna and Kenneth enlist the services of one Kelsey Grammer (appearing as himself); and Tracy works on a commercial.More

Jack works to set relationship boundaries with Liz to placate Avery. Meanwhile, Liz tends to her visiting father (Buck Henry), who's mired in a life crisis. And Tracy views his own video obituary, then sets out to reinvent himself. Not to be outdone, Jenna produces her own video obit.More

When GE's microwave sales heat up without his involvement, Jack tries to find defects in their new design. Meanwhile, a lottery creates havoc, and the writers discover that Jack has lent his virile voice to an online dictionary's pronunciation guide.More

When Liz worries that her relationship with Carol is fizzling, Jack suggests that she consult a therapist, but she reaches out to Kenneth instead. Elsewhere, Jenna and Paul (Will Forte) celebrate an anniversary; and Tracy tries to lure Jack into investing in his son's theme restaurant.More

Liz and Avery try to persuade Jack to disclose two secrets he's been hiding from his mother, who visits for the holidays. Then, Liz tries to repair Jenna's relationship with Paul (Will Forte); and Tracy tries to block his film's release because it undermines his newly invented serious persona. Alan Alda and Elizabeth Banks also guest star.More

Budget cuts at the company impact the "TGS" gang. Elsewhere, Liz's New Year's resolution adds a potential snarl to Jack's wedding; Jenna and Danny share a dressing room; and a health scare hits Tracy.More

A reality TV series trails Tracy, which Liz tries to exploit for her own gain. Jack does his own exploiting: He attempts to make a fast buck off natural-disaster telethons. And Lutz sets out to increase his worth in the event of an apocalypse.More

As Jack tries to cozy up to the owner of Kabletown, Liz fakes being pregnant to help Avery gain advantage over a competitive colleague (Vanessa Minnillo). Elsewhere, Tracy and Jenna clash when trying to share a gift from their new bosses.More

Jack and a very pregnant Avery take a romantic break in Canada. When Avery goes into labor, the power couple desperately scramble to not give birth to a Canadian. Meanwhile, Liz's getaway with Carol (Matt Damon) gets grounded, literally, when their plane collects dust on the tarmac. And Tracy is an EGOT winner, but with that comes overwhelming demands.More

Jenna tries to help a lovelorn Liz rebound from a broken relationship. Elsewhere, sleep deprivation impacts new father Jack, who begins to lose his business savvy and negotiating prowess; and Pete and Frank form a rock band.More

Angie's reality show visits "TGS," resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Frank reconnects with a lost love. Susan Sarandon guest stars.More

As cancellation looms for "TGS," Liz snoops with Kenneth to find a missing Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack works his magic to ensure the financial success of Jenna's newest endeavor; and an emasculated Pete organizes a manly contest for the writers and crew.More

Conclusion. With their show targeted for cancellation, the "TGS" crew desperately scramble to mount a top-notch production for their 100th episode. Meanwhile, Jack reconsiders a vital decision in his life, and Jenna mulls over motherhood.More

Liz tries to turn her personal life from drab to fab by revamping her dream apartment. Meanwhile, Avery is held hostage, and Tracy discovers that Kenneth, Dot Com and Grizz have forged a solid bond while he was away.More

30 Rock: Season 5 Photos

Tv Season Info

Season 5 of the sitcom, which takes place backstage at a network sketch-comedy series, is accented by an episode that, as its "The Live Show" title suggests, was broadcast live on both the East and West coasts. Story arcs include head writer Liz (Tina Fey) flying through some turbulence in her relationship with airline pilot Carol (Matt Damon), whom she met at the end of Season 4; and Jack (Alec Baldwin) struggling with the responsibilities that come from being a new husband and expectant father. In other events, budget cuts impact the staff; a pre-taped disaster telethon goes wrong; and the show is threatened with cancellation. Guest stars include Margaret Cho, Paul Giamatti, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Hanks, Buck Henry, Ken Howard, Michael Keaton, Rob Riggle and Susan Sarandon.

Episodes

Season 5 opens with Jack interfering with Liz's blooming romance with Carol (Matt Damon) in an effort to help her finally win a man's heart. There's give-and-take in Jack's own love life when Avery revamps his apartment. Meanwhile, Tracy copes with Kenneth's termination as NBC page, and Jenna emerges as a new "TGS" producer.More

Liz is stunned to discover she's now turning men's heads and uses her newfound confidence to win over a fastidious editor (Paul Giamatti). Meanwhile, Jack is determined to teach Avery's unborn son the ropes of life; Tracy gears up for his wife's delivery; and an enigmatic man takes on Kenneth's page duties. Elizabeth Banks, Brian Williams and Kelly O'Donnell guest star.More

Jack goes before Congress, hoping to use his wiles and charm in a discussion of NBC's merger with KableTown. When a congresswoman (Queen Latifah) pushes for more diversity in the programming, Jack turns to Tracy to develop ideas. Meanwhile, Liz butts heads with her writing staff; and Jenna supports Kenneth's return to the page program. Rob Reiner guest stars.More

Liz fumes during show night when the "TGS" gang all forget that it's her 40th birthday. Meanwhile, Tracy concludes that it's hilarious whenever an actor breaks character and laughs, so he does just that---all night. And Jack strains in his efforts to cease drinking during Avery's pregnancy. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Matt Damon guest star. The episode was originally broadcast live.More

Jack basks in a perfect day brimming with success and good fortune, so he tries to use his winning streak to save Liz and Carol's relationship. Meanwhile, Jenna and Kenneth enlist the services of one Kelsey Grammer (appearing as himself); and Tracy works on a commercial.More

Jack works to set relationship boundaries with Liz to placate Avery. Meanwhile, Liz tends to her visiting father (Buck Henry), who's mired in a life crisis. And Tracy views his own video obituary, then sets out to reinvent himself. Not to be outdone, Jenna produces her own video obit.More

When GE's microwave sales heat up without his involvement, Jack tries to find defects in their new design. Meanwhile, a lottery creates havoc, and the writers discover that Jack has lent his virile voice to an online dictionary's pronunciation guide.More

When Liz worries that her relationship with Carol is fizzling, Jack suggests that she consult a therapist, but she reaches out to Kenneth instead. Elsewhere, Jenna and Paul (Will Forte) celebrate an anniversary; and Tracy tries to lure Jack into investing in his son's theme restaurant.More

Liz and Avery try to persuade Jack to disclose two secrets he's been hiding from his mother, who visits for the holidays. Then, Liz tries to repair Jenna's relationship with Paul (Will Forte); and Tracy tries to block his film's release because it undermines his newly invented serious persona. Alan Alda and Elizabeth Banks also guest star.More

Budget cuts at the company impact the "TGS" gang. Elsewhere, Liz's New Year's resolution adds a potential snarl to Jack's wedding; Jenna and Danny share a dressing room; and a health scare hits Tracy.More

A reality TV series trails Tracy, which Liz tries to exploit for her own gain. Jack does his own exploiting: He attempts to make a fast buck off natural-disaster telethons. And Lutz sets out to increase his worth in the event of an apocalypse.More

As Jack tries to cozy up to the owner of Kabletown, Liz fakes being pregnant to help Avery gain advantage over a competitive colleague (Vanessa Minnillo). Elsewhere, Tracy and Jenna clash when trying to share a gift from their new bosses.More

Jack and a very pregnant Avery take a romantic break in Canada. When Avery goes into labor, the power couple desperately scramble to not give birth to a Canadian. Meanwhile, Liz's getaway with Carol (Matt Damon) gets grounded, literally, when their plane collects dust on the tarmac. And Tracy is an EGOT winner, but with that comes overwhelming demands.More

Jenna tries to help a lovelorn Liz rebound from a broken relationship. Elsewhere, sleep deprivation impacts new father Jack, who begins to lose his business savvy and negotiating prowess; and Pete and Frank form a rock band.More

Angie's reality show visits "TGS," resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Frank reconnects with a lost love. Susan Sarandon guest stars.More

As cancellation looms for "TGS," Liz snoops with Kenneth to find a missing Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack works his magic to ensure the financial success of Jenna's newest endeavor; and an emasculated Pete organizes a manly contest for the writers and crew.More

Conclusion. With their show targeted for cancellation, the "TGS" crew desperately scramble to mount a top-notch production for their 100th episode. Meanwhile, Jack reconsiders a vital decision in his life, and Jenna mulls over motherhood.More

Liz tries to turn her personal life from drab to fab by revamping her dream apartment. Meanwhile, Avery is held hostage, and Tracy discovers that Kenneth, Dot Com and Grizz have forged a solid bond while he was away.More

I found myself regularly freeze-framing the show so that I could record for posterity a particularly choice line (cause if I don't do it, only fifty million people on Twitter and online will) without missing the next exquisitely crafted one-liner.